Garden Notes

A Weed, a Pest, and a Disease Yellow Nutsedge, a weed: Nutsedges are common weeds in our area, but not common in my garden. This past spring, however, brought an invasion of an unfamiliar grass-like weed that was overtaking an area normally occupied by colorful yellow lantana.

Reprint from 2017 Article by Budding and Grafting: Methods of plant propagation used to grow more than one variety, and in some cases, more than one species, of fruit on a single tree. Scion: A branch, shoot, or bud removed from one plant and grafted onto another (the stock or rootstock).

We are fortunate to be able to grow a variety of citrus trees in our area. Because they are subtropical plants, the first consideration is to choose a site that is sunny, warm, and protected from wind in well-drained soil.

What might you do to gain gardening knowledge? Congratulations! You are doing it! 65% of people prefer visual information, so reading helps most of us. Apart from learning new things, reading activates our cognitive brain functioning and staves off decline. We become changed people.

As Autumn is coming to an end and Winter is quickly approaching, it is a good time to look around your garden for the remnants of the past season. Gather dried pods, seed heads, dried flowers, herb stems, and even weed plumes. Also, Oak galls, acorns, and pinecones are some more of nature's gifts.